Bringing Up Bates was a popular reality show that aired on the UPtv channel for ten seasons. The series followed Gil and Kelly Jo Bates as they raised 19 children. The show came amid the popularity of TLC’s Duggar family. The show was canceled a few years ago, but fans still want to keep up with the family. The Bates family recently shared a sad pregnancy update. What’s going on?
Former Reality TV Family Growing With Multiple Births & Pregnancies
When you have nineteen children, the odds are high that you’ll have dozens of grandchildren. Gil and Kelly Jo Bates currently have 35 grandchildren. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have 39. Erin Bates and her husband recently welcomed their seventh child. And both families are expecting more babies soon. Four Bates kids are currently expecting. Josie and Kelton Balka are expecting their fourth baby. Carlin and Evan Stewart will welcome their third child in September. Katie and Travis Clark’s second child is due in October. Lawson and Tiffany Bates are expecting their second child in December. They share a lot about their lives, raising their first child, and the current pregnancy on their YouTube vlog. The popular couple recently went back to the doctor for a checkup on the baby. They shared some sad news that the doctor found on the ultrasound.
Bates Family Shares Sad Pregnancy Update
Tiffany and Lawson Bates are a young couple but they have already experienced one of the most heartbreaking losses. They announced in late 2023 that they had been expecting their first child but sadly lost it to miscarriage.

They welcomed a rainbow baby a year later. This son, William Daniel, was born in July 2024. His birth was featured on their YouTube vlog. The couple announced in June that they are expecting again. The baby is due in December. The couple went in for a routine checkup as the due date draws near. Lawson Bates and his wife shared a video asking for prayers after getting some not-so-great news at the doctor’s. Tiffany Bates explained that the baby is healthy, which she called the most important news. However, they got some unexpected news from the doctor. The baby may have to be born via C-section instead of natural birth. Tiffany said that while many women have successfully given birth with a C-section, she doesn’t want to have one.
She said that no one in Lawson’s family has had one, ever.
Fans took the comments to share their own pregnancy stories and reassurance that C-sections are normal.
- “The best baby birth is where both mother and child are safe. Every birth is unique to each woman.”
- “I had PP until 36 weeks and it completely moved. With God all things are possible.”
- “Tiffany, I had placenta previa grade 3 with my first pregnancy and I was able to give birth naturally.”
- “Prayers for you Tiffany,and baby.May you have a safe pregnancy, with a successful delivery of a healthy baby.”
- “I had that when pregnant. Prayed about it and it moved. Believing with you it moves.”
- “How you birth should not be a competition especially in families. You are unique as are your needs. Its not a competition nor a failure.”
The couple is hopeful that a C-section won’t be necessary.